Thursday, 18 December 2014

From the publisher: “After
humanity’s first manned mission to the Red Planet was lost, a second expedition
arrives. The explorers prepare to exterminate the cockroaches that were used to
transform the Martian environment, but are shocked to discover that the insects
have mutated into giant, aggressive humanoids with one overriding
goal—exterminate the humans! However, this crew of explorers has each undergone
the “Bugs Procedure,” terrifying experimental surgery designed to make them
more than human…”

If you ever wondered what a Hollywood
movie would look like as a manga than this is probably it. That is not a
compliment. Dripping with uncomfortable racism and constant numbing gore, this
series is probably not for those with weak stomachs. It isn’t clever enough to
be challenging either it really is a big dumb action flick in comic format. I
really have nothing good to say about this. They actually have someone who has
a big cigar in their mouth at all times. The one Chinese character is little
more than a stereo type. I’m not kidding when I say that everyone is a cliché.
At the very least the book moves along at a steady clip so I was out of my
misery sooner. In conclusion I would say skip Terra Formars; it’s racist
mindless garbage.

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

From the publisher: “There is
something unusual about the Tougetsu Academy. While on the surface it may seem
like just another private Japanese high school; hidden amongst its student
body, though, are a few youngsters with some unique abilities. One of them is
Honoka Takamiya. He may not know it yet, but inside him lurks something very
powerful. And it is the job of the school’s idol, Ayaka Kagari, to protect
Takamiya from anyone, or anything, wishing to capitalize on his innate
abilities.

Dare to harm her “Princess”, and watch out— you’ll get
burned!”

The
first volume is mostly character introductions and some world building. With
that being said the comedy is ramped up to 10. The book also boasts stellar
artwork. The plot is moving glacially. We see our first major plot development
only during the final pages of the book. Pacing issues aside, this is a fun
first volume. The humor seldom falls flat. In conclusion I would as perhaps
loan this from a library before deciding whether it is for you. It has little
reread value and will not be to everyone’s liking but if you enjoy something
delightfully mindless this might be up your alley.

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

From the publisher: “I can help you laugh, but I can't take
away the tears you've shed." In Mametsubu-cho, a town somewhere in the
ancient Japanese city of Kamakura, Ochibi lives a relaxed, easy life. With his
friend Nazeni the dog, Jack the naughty kitten, and Pankui the hungry dog,
Ochibi's year in Mametsubu-cho is filled with encounters and new discoveries!
Flower-viewing in spring, swimming in summer, collecting leaves in fall, and
eating yummy food in winter. The changing seasons are drawn with a”

The Diary
of Ochibi may very well be the most adorable series you’ll ever read. Anno put a
lot of detail into the gorgeous full color artwork. This series is radically different
in tone and stylistically from any manga I’ve read before. Honestly I found the
protagonist was a character I was able to sympathize with quite a bit. Ochibi
is a very easy character to like and the series as a whole is genuinely
heartwarming. There really is not overarching narrative per se. The series
mostly functions as a series of one page vignettes. IN contrast it becomes
apparent that not much effort was put into translating it with dialogue
frequently going out of the bubble. In conclusion I would say read Ochibi if
you enjoy series which are cute and innocent.

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

From the
publisher: “Togeun used to work for his father’s company without any passion,
so he quits his job and moves out from his parents’ house in order to follow
his dream in drawing. At the homecoming party (reunion party), Togeun begs
Sonagi, a great illustrator, to teach him how to draw.”

Salty Studio
has, if nothing else, really nice artwork. Its biggest flaw is the molasses
like pacing. The series takes a long time to go from plot point to plot point.
Instead the series opts to coast on nostalgia. To be fair the series uses its
slow pacing wisely: often having character development mixed in between gags.
Which brings me to the humor which is far more miss than hit. In conclusion
Salty Studio has a number of flaws whether one is in search of Josei comics
might very well be a deciding factor on whether or not they will pick this
series up to read.

VIZ MEDIA KICKS OFF CLASS WITH THE STELLAR NEW COMEDY SERIES ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM

A Class Of Misfit Students Must Save Mankind From A Destructive Alien
Invader Who May Also Be The Best Teacher They Ever Had; New Action Series To
Launch In Print And Digitally

San Francisco, CA, December
2, 2014 –
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of
manga and anime in North America, delivers to domestic readers today one of the
most popular new manga (graphic novel) series currently sweeping Japan – ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM.

This
high school alien-teacher in the classroom action comedy by creator Yusei
Matsui is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and debuts in print under the Shonen Jump
Advanced imprint. ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM Vol. 1 will carry an MSRP of $9.99
U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Subsequent volumes for the continuing series are scheduled
for print release on a bi-monthly basis.

The digital edition of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM will
also debut on December 2nd for $6.99 (U.S./CAN), across all
platforms serviced by VIZManga.com and the
VIZ Manga App. The
free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital
manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. The
digital edition will be similarly available on digital storefronts for the
Kindle, iBooks, GooglePlay, Kobo, ComiXology, and Nook.

A humorous and action-packed story about a class of
misfits who are trying to kill their new teacher – an alien octopus with
bizarre powers and super strength! The teacher has just destroyed the moon and
is threatening to destroy the earth – unless his students can destroy him
first. What makes things more complicated is that he's the best teacher they've
ever had!

“ASSASSINATION
CLASSROOM is an over-the-top, action thrill ride that readers will definitely
want to put on their manga hit lists,” says Annette Roman, Editor. “The series has drawn widespread
acclaim in Japan where it is one of the top titles featured in Shonen Jump magazine. We invite readers
to spend their winter semester at a high school unlike any other with a zany class
of misfit students upon whom rests the future of humanity!”

Manga creator Yusei Matsui was born in Saitama
Prefecture, Japan and has been drawing since elementary school. Some of his
favorite manga series are Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo,JoJo's Bizarre Adventure,
and Ultimate Muscle (all
published in North America by VIZ Media). Matsui honed his talents
working as an assistant to manga artist Yoshio Sawai, creator of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. In 2005, he debuted
his original series, Neuro: Supernatural Detective, in
Weekly
Shonen Jump. In 2007, Neuro was adapted into an
anime series. ASSASSINATION
CLASSROOM began serialization inWeekly
Shonen Jump in Japan in 2012. An anime adaptation based on the
manga series is set to debut in early 2015.

For more information on ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM and
other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in
San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best
anime and manga titles direct from Japan.
Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies,
Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd.,
VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English
speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South
Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster
properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge
action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science
fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.
VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated
television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a
variety of consumer products. Learn more
about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

From the
publisher: “Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to
have an awesome summer together...and they’re not gonna let any insane quest or
an array of supernatural critters get in their way! Not only is it the second
title launching in our new BOOM! Box imprint but LUMBERJANES is one of those
punk rock, love-everything-about-it stories that appeals to fans of basically
all excellent things.”

For an all
ages comic about being a scout this is maddeningly addictive! The artwork is
gorgeous. The LGBT subplot is well executed. The plot becomes nonsensical at
times though which can be a major problem. This is probably to appeal to a
younger audience but it still feels a touch forced. The series works mostly
because of the group dynamic between the loveable cast of characters. In
conclusion I would say read at the very least the first issue to see if this is
up your alley. If you enjoy series with LGBT elements and a strong core cast
this series will be hard to beat!

Monday, 1 December 2014

These
chapters basically bring to the forefront Furuya’s knack for comedy. I was
bursting into fits of laughter every other page. This series excels in every aspect
a shonen series can: comedy, artwork, action, etc. While Ageha makes for a
compelling protagonist the supporting cast is equally if not moreso
entertaining. It is worth noting that this series will not be to everyone’s
liking: the series has rampant problems with sexism. That being said the manor
in which it handled makes it easy to forgive to a certain degree. In conclusion
I would say read these chapters. The comedy is miles above most Japanese comics’.
I sincerely hope we see more of this series in the future in the west.

From
the publisher: “The world is experiencing an "era of educational
collapse"! In order to combat it, the government has introduced a
revolutionary new system into grade schools called the School Judgment System!
A system of the children, by the children, and for the children. Students can
take each other to court with real-life consequences! One of the toughest
lawyers just started school, and he's going to find out just who cut up the
classroom pet—a super cute fish! Get ready for some serious courtroom action in
the classroom drama!”

Great
artwork? Yes! Entertaining? Most certainly! Well written? Thus far it is
impossible to tell. There is so much nonsense going on and it is only the first
chapter. I have no idea whether this series is trying taking itself seriously
or not. It is clear a lot of effort and passion went into this chapter though. It
is awful hard for me to not compare this to the artist’s past successes and how
those at least had some grounding in reality. If one is looking for something
truly unique and a breath of fresh air in a medium that is known for its
overuse of tropes and clichés I’d say read this for those who are huge fans of
the artist’s darker work I would say stick with those for the time being. For
myself there is no way to avert my gaze from this oddity.

Thursday, 27 November 2014

The comedy
connects more often than not in this set of chapters. Tawara Cat is one of the more
bizarre series I’ve read in execution at least. Visually the series is
appeasing with really nice full colour artwork. The colours are subdued enough
that it is not eye popping yet not dull either. What little plot there was in
earlier chapters seems to have evaporated though. In conclusion I would say the
comedy and artwork make these chapters worth at least a glance through. The
series may not be to everyone’s taste but it is a pleasant quirky read
regardless.

With each span
of chapters the series improves upon its already excellent base. It excels in
every aspect. One thing I had not noticed before was just how varied the
character designs look. Each character in the cast is distinct in both visual
and personality ways. Koyama’s artwork is
really gorgeous and detailed and seems to keep improving still. The only issue
I have at this point is the pacing which drags a touch which may be off-putting
to some. That being said this is a rather trivial problem and Koyama makes the
pacing work to the comic’s advantage.

What really
shines in these chapters is the character development and growth of both the
main and ever expanding supporting cast. This is something the series as a
whole is great at but I have only really come to appreciate the full breadth of
it recently. Is the fight to save the ISS. It really drives home the message
about the power of true friendship and is anchored by the lingering subplot
about Sharon’s deteriorating health. It brings out a wide range of emotions in
the reader. In conclusion I would say Space Brothers is a pleasure to read and
is well worth the time investment.

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

From the publisher:
“Blood rains from the skies. A hypnotic voice trills over the airwaves as
bodies shift and grow in horrifying new directions. Are you ready for the new
world? RAY FAWKES, acclaimed creator of One Soul and writer of Constantine and
Batman: Eternal, launches a terrifying monthly odyssey of madness and warped
flesh in this lush, fully painted debut issue!”

If one derives
enjoyment from Intersect it would most likely visually rather than plot. Visual
wise it is like nothing I have ever seen before. The comic’s layout makes it a
confusing read. Matters are not helped with the fact that the story begins
midway into what appears to be the plot. The audience is thus forced to weave
their way between the poor panel planning and piecing together the narrative.
That said the artwork is gorgeous it is clear a lot of effort was put into the
painted artwork. In conclusion I would say purchase this issue for its artwork
as it is really something special. There really is little point in attempting
gain an understanding of the plot though.

Monday, 24 November 2014

From the publisher: “Yuuki's got a
crush he's just dying to confess his love to. There's just one problem, he
can't do it! Every time he tries, he freezes up! But his life really takes a
turn when he bumps into, or gets clobbered by, a robotic girl with a most
impressive set of "features." Her name is Ai Roborovskii and she's
the world's first Erotic Robot!”

This might be the most putrid thing I’ve ever
read. None of the jokes connected and the whole affair was so shameless I
honestly had to force myself to keep reading on to the next page. I could go on
all day about the sexism. While another recently started title in the magazine
this runs in was at least campy enjoyment (which is admittedly a guilty
pleasure for me) this series is not even that. With each failing gag that
passed had me feeling more and more uncomfortable. In conclusion I would say skip
this series there is next to nothing to recommend here.

Sunday, 23 November 2014

From the
publisher: “A few thousand years has passed since an alchemist created Winter.
He is now living with Jane learning what it means to be alive as a human.”

In this
premiere chapter the artwork when visible is truly stunning however, perhaps
because of the grim nature of the story, little artwork is shown. Yet Winter
Woods truly is captivating. The actual plot proper for the series isn’t giving
much away in the prologue. The series seems to being paying homage to
Frankenstein or at the very least derives from it. In conclusion if you enjoy
horror I would say read this chapter. It is a quick and engrossing read though
it should be noted it is rather dark so keep that in mind.

Any concerns I had about the series dipping in
excitement after its first chapter were washed away in this group of chapters. The
premise is far more compelling than I initially thought and the series is
filled with twists and turns. The character designs still fell off. That being
said the background art is gorgeous though perhaps not quite on par with creators
such as Kazue Kato. The series seems to be playing with the question on the
morality of money and the wealthy though it is only brought up in imagery from
time to time. In conclusion if you are like me and enjoy series that take a
potentially dull subject matter such as the stock market but manage to make it fascinating
I would say give these chapters a read.

Saturday, 22 November 2014

From the
publisher: “Mita Norifusa, whose "Dragon Zakura" started a revolution
in Japan's world of entrance exams, now brings you another school-drama manga
about stock investments! Zaizen Takashi passes his entrance exams at the top of
the heap, and starts his first year in junior high school at Dojuku Gakuen, a
130-year old super-advanced institute of higher education. The day after the
entrance ceremony, "the secret" of the school is revealed to him,
which concerns the existence of an”

What begins as
a rather tensionless awkwardly drawn premiere chapter gradually escalates into a
much more compelling plot about investing. I am curious to see where the manga
goes from here. The artwork is not without issue: characters frequently go off
model. That being said the potential for the plot not to mention the excellent writing
make at the very least sampling the series a must!

With these
chapters the conflict begins to deescalate momentarily only to rise even
further by the last chapter of the group. Murata’s artwork is gorgeous as per
usual. The only problem I had was the lull between arcs which diffused some of
the tension. The plot is also gradual as the series is more art based. It was
nice seeing development of a side character however. Really there are far more
positive than negative aspects to the series. It was also cool to see an old
face from the earlier chapters return as well. In conclusion I would say read
these chapters; the art and plot make it well worth the read!

Friday, 21 November 2014

For fans of
battle manga Hi-Fi Cluster is comfort food. These chapters continue that trend.
Complete with ridiculous (in a good way) antagonists and slick action scenes.
The series seems to be unfortunately barreling towards the final battles as what
appears to be the big bad is introduced this chapter. Peta proves to be of
little use at this point (if he ever was). The supporting cast continues to be
the primary reason to continue reading this series. A colorful group which
seems largely ignored outside of our other lead in this battle. In conclusion I
would say read these chapters as they are the series at its most compelling.

Nisekoi
continues being a mosquito bite with this week’s chapter. Initially it was just
annoying but over time after scratching it so much it began to hurt. Yui’s and
Raku’s creepy relationship continues to develop with this week’s chapter. This
series leaves such little impact on me. It continues introducing characters and
adding padding. It’s sad when the source material is roughly 30% filler. This
week isn’t so bad but others much moreso. All this to delay the series’
conclusion which because of Yui could probably have been reached by now. This
is pretty much typical indulgent male romance fanasties barring the decreased
fan service. In conclusion I would say skip this week’s chapter of Nisekoi. It
concentrates on the series’ creepier facets and is the series at its most
indulgent.

This chapter
is essentially an epilogue to the battle introducing yet another character and
bookending the arc yet also introducing plot elements that should propel the
series forward in the future. It was nice seeing some more character
development and fleshing out the relationships of the core cast. This chapter
really is devoid of much tension though. I feel it is also worth noting that
though I read this series each week I find details slip from memory within a
day or two. In conclusion I would say read this chapter if only for the development
for the cast.

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

These chapters
of Food Wars! are remarkably fan service free. They also contain a wealth of
information on food. For me they were a great read. As a lover of food it is
fun reading manga about it. The series has its issue: it can be a touch dull at
times with little to no action. That being said, the characters are bright and
colorful and the art is surprisingly slick.
Also of note in these chapters is the tension despite little actual
conflict actually ensuing on the page. The pacing has some issues though. The
series seems to be at a hault presently. A far cry from the first volume which
had a more rapid fire pace. In conclusion I would say read these chapters if
only for the information on food. The series itself is, like the best of food,
highly addictive.

From the
publisher: “If you had any doubts about a ping pong manga, you can table your
doubts because this one's got a hilarious spin. It'll have you bouncing from
laughter one minute then slam you with intense competition the next. Get ready
to be served some hilarious manga and have a ball! Just had to get all those
ping pong puns out of the way...now onto the actual manga description. Ririka
Otsuka's the hottest chick in school, but she has a secret—she lives at a table
tennis center! And her grandpa's nuts about the sport, but she could care less!
Enter Ageha Hanazono, a table tennis genius who shows zero interest in sexy
Ririka, much to her chagrin. These two couldn't be more different, but their
paths are linked as they both find out the hard way!”

Despite, or
perhaps due to, the subject matter the first chapter of Takujo no Ageha is a
delightful read! That’s not to say it is perfect; it has its issues. Namely the
poor characterization of the female lead as boy obsessed. This is not even
beginning to cover the fan service which is mercifully kept to a handful of
pages. That being said, the action scenes are slick and the series has enough
of a plot to maintain itself for quite some time. The art is also a positive.
This series looks really nice thus far. It is clear a lot of effort was put
into this debut chapter. So in all I would say read Takujo no Ageha even if you
have an aversion to fan service this series has plenty to offer!

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

For Peace’s
first chapter excels in every aspect and proves itself to be a fantastic LGBT
comic along with Cooke’s previous work Dinner Ditz. The artwork differentiates
itself from the majority of other comics while still being accessible. The
character designs are far more human than any work I have seen to date. As with
Dinner Ditz, the first chapter of For Peace is rather rose-tinted; a welcome
change as the majority of LGBT media seems to go for a more gritty approach. Cooke
is quickly proving to be an author I will anticipate the future works of. Again
as with Dinner Ditz my only complaint is that the series is not full-length as
it is very refreshing in the current media landscape to see genuine warm
positivity.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Windrose’s art continues to be
its biggest selling point. It really is gorgeous visually. Narrative wise it is
nice to see some character development and world building. While this may be
the weakest of Sparkler Monthly’s comic offerings it is only in comparison to
their other series. I find I am far more invested in the series now than I was
at the beginning as we start to get into the grander plot. While I still feel
the protagonist is not a terribly strong character the morally ambiguous
supporting cast is really compelling. In conclusion I would say read this
chapter as it really highlight what makes the series great thus far.

Gatesmith is quickly growing into
one of my favorite series period. The level of imagination in it is high and I
found the characters are growing more and more on me. This chapter sees some
interesting plot developments. I really have no complaints about this chapter.
The series continues to be original in execution and tone. Quick’s artwork is
really slick as well. In conclusion I would say read this chapter as this
series continues to prove to be truly great!

Monday, 10 November 2014

From
the publisher: “Peregrine, a divorced dad, is a disaster in the kitchen. He’s a
threat to himself and all those around him, including his beloved daughter,
Lottie. So it’s up to Otho, a recent victim of Peregrine’s cooking chaos, to
step in and show him how it’s done, so he can wow Lottie instead of terrifying
her the next time she visits!”

Dinner
Ditz is an adorable LGBT comic. It left me wanting more even after the very
last page. It is refreshing seeing an LGBT comic about compelling family
dynamics. That’s not to say the romance is bad by any stretch. It is easily my
favorite part of the book! The series also has a different art style which is
refreshing in an industry where artwork tends to lean towards homogenous. In
conclusion, Dinner Ditz is a great if brief read. If you are looking for a
different kind of LGBT media this will not disappoint!

After
many MANY months the biggest battle in World Trigger to date draws to a close
and it ends on a resoundingly great note! It is nice to see the protagonist fleshed
out more in the final of this set of chapters. The battle had actual casualties
which is surprising for such an early point in a Jump series. World Trigger
continues to prove it is more interesting than it initially appeared and has
grown into a compelling narrative. I am super excited to see what future
chapters have in store!

Seraph of the End Chapter 27 Storyboard by Daisuke Furuya,
Story by Takaya Kagami, Art by Yamato Yamamoto Review

Seraph
suffers from dull characters thus far. This has become increasingly apparent
over time. The novelty has started to wear off and the series has started to
show its flaws. This is not helped by the inevitable plot being ground to a
hault. We must suffer through dull banter for much of the chapter before seeing
an exposition dump clumsily thrown in. Only in the final pages do we get to see
some action with a stock villain with clown make-up. This not even getting into
the offensive undertones with his character. In conclusion, I would say you
could probably skip to the end of this chapter unless you are truly fascinated
with this world.

Remarkably this chapter is even
more resonant than the previous one. Kato’s artwork is at its peak. The plot
continues to be touching and it is nice to see that the arc is drawing to a
close quite well. Blue Exorcist continues to be a delight each month being one
of my more anticipated series. It is worth noting though that the antagonist
suffers from a lack of characterization being more cartoony and hammy than even
I care for. So, in conclusion, I would say read this chapter! It features some
key character development and draws the arc to its climax quite nicely.

Nisekoi really flexes its harem
muscles in these chapters that is to say being as trite and cliché as ever
perhaps even moreso. In fact, the series is almost insufferable at times. The
one respite at this point is that there is a whole week between chapters giving
plenty of time to recuperate. And by that I mean it is constant pain! The comedy seems to have shriveled up for the most part. It really seems as if the
series is just on autopilot now. In conclusion if you have not enjoyed past
chapters of Nisekoi you will find little here to change your mind.

So in honour of a certain long running hugely successful
manga series ending I thought I would honour it by reviewing something completely
unrelated to it!

Hi-Fi Cluster Chapters 4-8 Story & Art by Ippei Goto
review

These chapters of Hi-Fi Cluster see
the plot proper begin to develop as well as some rather dull by comparison but
still compelling chapters of character introductions. There is some clumsy
exposition dumps in these chapters. Something I’m not sure I mentioned in my
previous reviews. The protagonist continues to be the least compelling
character and I feel was likely just included in the series for the target
demographic to identify with. So all-in-all Hi-Fi Cluster is an interesting
read thus far and I cannot tell express how excited I am for future chapters.

Monday, 27 October 2014

From the publisher: “Kudo
Kazehaya’s name evokes the wind, which is given to warn him that one day he,
too, might disappear. He almost thought his time had come—until he was rescued
by the dark, handsome, and equally mysterious Himura Rikuo. Now they both
reside where Rikuo works, the Green Drugstore, a place that dispenses not only
medicine but the secret powers of both Rikuo and Kazehaya, as the pair embark
on missions into the paranormal at the bidding of its strange proprietor,
Kakei.”

Dripping
with fan service, Legal Drug proves to be well worth the purchase. Few pages
will go by (especially in the final third) without the book dripping in gay
subtext. Apart from that though, Legal Drug has plenty of CLAMP’s trademark
imagination. Though it is disappointing that by book’s end no subplots were
concluded.

Thankfully
there is a sequel on the horizon. Instead the book opts to introduce several
new characters and disregard the main narrative altogether in the final third.
The first two thirds of the book have plenty to offer as well though. Each character
in the core cast is compelling in their own respect. Although notably missing in
the final third is the two characters providing most of the fan service (not to
mention the most interesting characters). All-in-all CLAMP’s Legal Drug was a
fun read that is easy to recommend.

From the publisher: “When a girl at
Hinata Sorazono’s school is attacked by what seems to be a bloodsucking
vampire, everyone is on edge and wonders who’s next. Hinata refuses to believe
that vampires even exist, but then she meets her new neighbor, Junya Tokinaga,
the author of an incredibly popular vampire romance novel. Dressed in a kimono
with an old-world air about him, Junya has a taste of Hinata’s blood and tells
her it’s sweet... Hinata can’t help but be drawn to Junya, but could it be that
he’s actually a vampire—and worse yet, the culprit behind the attacks?!”

Retreading several ideas from the
supernatural romance subgenre, Honey Blood manages to be both dull and forgettable.
It introduces no new ideas and is subpar with the already existing ones. That
said the final pages bring with them some promise. However as this series has
one other main volume left (the third is supposedly just one-shots and other
extras) I do not foresee there being much payoff.

The problem romance novels face is
giving the audience a reason to care about their characters and this one gives
little. Both leads are rather standard of the genre with little about them
being compelling especially the heroine. The male lead also falls into several
tropes. All-in-all Honey Blood is a boring read and offers nothing new and will
most likely be forgotten moments after being read.

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Seeing as this may very well be the
last review I do for elDLIVE I might as well do nothing remotely different with
it. Kidding (?) aside I enjoy reading this series each week. My one complaint
is that this length of a read on a weekly basis is difficult to keep up with.
That being said the artwork is gorgeous! Akira Amano makes use of colour to
superb effect. It is nice to see a
potential overarching narrative for the series. The art feels a touch rough at
times though. All-in-all elDLIVE has been a pleasure to read and I hope we get
to see more in the future!

The most notable aspect about this set of
chapters is the chapter with unfinished artwork. This sort of threw the series
off balance for me. After much dragging in the plot we have finally reached a
turning point for the series! I feel it is worth noting that the cast of
thousands aspect of the series continues to make it frustrating to follow. This
should be a pivotal moment but I’ll
be darned if I can keep track of characters at this point!

Little continues to be accomplished for the
majority of this set of chapters. Though in the third of the group Onodera and
Raku’s romance progresses slightly. Truthfully despite the relative progress in
a side plot the series is rather unrelenting with just how little it
accomplishes despite being given so much time to do it. It’s almost depressing.
Nisekoi continues to be a painful read in this clump of chapters if you see a
glimmer of hope in this like me you may want to continue otherwise perhaps just
wait until the series finishes and skip the extraneous filler chapters to
finish it up.

Monday, 20 October 2014

From the publisher: “Nang-Nak, an old poodle with blurred
eyesight, and an adorable kitten, Soondae, love their owners whom they are
loyal to. Here are the episodes of the mature dog and the energetic young
kitten that always wait for their owners to give them love and affection.”

My Kitty and Old Dog is basically a
series of vignettes about pets and their owners. Some are tragic, others are
heart-warming. The chapters are very short even given the nature of the content
so even sampling a chapter would not take too much time. Some of the more
tragic stories feel at odds for the potential audience this would appeal mostly
too. The art when applicable is nice. The webtoon plays like a sort of
biography. So in conclusion My Kitty and Old Dog is off to a decent start and I
am curious to see where it goes.

This chapter is gorgeously drawn. It has become
increasingly clear how talented Kazue Kato is as an artist. Content wise this
chapter has more substance than the previous. Culminating in a psychological
battle which in turn leads to a poetic, if tragic, conclusion. That is not to
say the last chapter was not necessary as it emotionally built up the tragedy
which unfolds. It is just that this is probably the better of the two chapters
visually as well as emotionally. If I could make one complaint it is that this
arc’s villain is a cartoon even by cartoon’s standards and is not terribly
compelling. Otherwise this chapter was fantastic!

From the publisher: “Tokumaru Tokuda is a medical student
who is taking a leave of absence from school and spending every day lazily. To
search for his big brother who went missing after sending an e-mail saying
"Help me", Tokumaru ends up going to "Western Tibet". Using
the photo that his brother sent as a hint, Tokumaru and two male guides, Sonam
and Namgyal head toward a certain valley. However, it's a valley that not even
the locals go near since it is said that the valley brings disaster on anybody
that comes near… The three men embark on their long journey on foot in Western
Tibet, the land high above the world.”

The art
in this series is the main reason I chose to include it in the column,
different from most of the manga I have seen (stylistically at least) Wheel of
Life is gorgeous to look at. Content wise, Tokumaru is a rather dull
protagonist. The setting is what establishes this series apart from other shojo
comics. Set in Tibet it is a breath of fresh air in a medium with often very
standard settings. It is clear effort went into drawing this. In conclusion, I
would say Wheel of Life is an engrossing read. I cannot wait to read more!

From the publisher: “Kotori was a normal girl who had always
been tempted down the wrong path. As she lived her normal, boring, everyday
life, trying so hard to follow her dreams, a bold chubby straw-bale cat walked
into her life. Will this cat be a god of luck for her? Or will it become a god
of misfortune, and lead Kotori down the wrong path...? A fluffy fat cat opens
up the door on this story of a woman's struggles through everyday life!”

Serialized
in Manga Box, Tawara Cat is a fun read! The comedy may not be hard hitting but
the art is really nice and the series is, if nothing else, amusing. As far as
josei (geared towards women) manga go it is nice to see the romance secondary.
The heroine is decently developed as a character. Really it’s those around her
which make this series infinitely more interesting than it may have been. A
colourful bunch of misfits each with their own quirks and eccentricities they
are. So I’d say Tawara Cat is worth the read if you enjoy pretty art and a fun
supporting cast.

Over
this (admittedly large) chunk of chapters, we have seen series’ protagonist
Mutta grow leaps and bounds as a character. The cast as a whole continues to
grow and each character is lovable in their own way. This series is an
enjoyable, if slow-paced, read and Mutta
is a fun character whose easy to cheer on. The arc Hibito has undergone is
perhaps the most compelling part of the series though it is often put in the
background. In all I’d say if you enjoy character driven science fiction you
really cannot do better than this.

From the Publisher: “Morning in the desert...a million
lives, from the smallest insect to the largest creature, all struggle for
survival in a harsh but beautiful environment. Enter Morgan, a mysterious woman
with an even more mysterious task to perform in this strange new world. Over
her travels she will meet friends and foes, and some important allies in her
quest to change the land around her for the better.

Jen Lee Quick, author of Off*Beat, Witches' Quarry, Soul
Union and more brings readers a thrilling and inventive new take on the Old
West!”

Wildly imaginative and filled with slick action
scenes, Gatesmith was a fun read. It should be noted though that the series is
holding its cards closely though as we know little about the world and
characters thus far. Chapter 1 served mostly as a means to draw the reader in
(which it succeeds quite well at!) while chapter 2 fills in some of the blank
spots and is more world building. As I said earlier the series has a LOT of
creative ideas and I am on the edge of my seat (so to speak) at this point!

From the publisher: “It's the 17th Century, and the powers
of Europe are struggling violently for dominion over the oceans. Danielle,
daughter of a Spanish lady and a French merchant, flees her constrictive
upper-class life when she receives a disturbing letter from her father,
entrusting her with a strange miniature astrolabe. But on her way from
Barcelona to Marseille, her life is threatened, she nearly drowns, and she is
befriended by a handsome pair of travelers...but Angeline and Leon are
definitely not what they claim to be.

By acclaimed comic creation team Studio Kôsen, Danielle's
journey from the palaces of Western Europe to the heart of the Ottoman Empire
will prove to be more dangerous, and more thrilling, than she ever could have
imagined!”

Serialized in Sparkler Monthly in North America,
Windrose is gorgeous to look at. That
being said there is some awkward exposition in the first 2 chapters. There are
plenty of action scenes to be found though and each character is equally
compelling. The setting sets the series apart and thus far there has been
little signs of romance which is nice. It has a kind of a YA adaptation feel.
Make of that what you will. So in all Windrose is off to a decent if a touch
rocky start it will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.

Sunday, 19 October 2014

So this is going to be the place
where I review currently airing Japanese animated shows. No schedule really. It’s
going to be limited to 5 or 6 shows at a time. No rankings (same for March of
the Manga Man) So with that in mind let’s dive in!

From the publisher: “A hot boy mermaid named Wakasa has
taken over the bath of a teenage boy named Tatsumi! This cute but selfish
freeloader is a perfect match for the cool but tender and caring Tatsumi. Let's
see how they get by together!”

As fan
service shorts go this one is off to a decent start. The opening is jarring in
contrast to the rest of the show which is light fun with some creepy overtones.
It failed to produce any laughs though it did make me smile. It is worth noting
that while Wakasa is a colourful character, Tatsumi is rather dull as a
protagonist. So in conclusion the first
2 episodes are decent. There are much better shows this season but one could
certainly do a lot worse.

From the publisher: “Based on Naoko Takeuchi’s legendary
manga series, Sailor Moon Crystal retells the story of Sailor Moon as she
searches for her fellow Sailor Guardians and the Legendary Silver Crystal to
stop the dark forces of Queen Beryl.”

With this first set of episodes
Sailor Moon Crystal is off to a great start! A gorgeous adaptation that somehow
manages to establish itself separate from the first television adaptation and
is all the better for it! More faithful to the original comic and more tightly
written than the previous anime, Crystal is poised to be one of the best anime
of 2014 if it continues this level of quality. The CG transformations are
nicely rendered certainly better than much of the Japanese CG animation I have
seen though still awkward. All-in-all Sailor Moon Crsytal is a great watch and
comes highly recommended!

From the publisher: “Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, and Mega Drive
reimagined as girls who have just enrolled in SeHaGaga Academy at Tokyo’s
Haneda Ōtorii station. They are given an assignment needed to graduate by a
suspicious teacher. To clear this requirement, the girls must enter the world of
Sega games to graduate without incident.”

Surprisingly, Hi-sCool is a good
show… in a guilty pleasure sort of way. I went into this series with LOW
expectations but found myself thoroughly entertained. The show is bright,
colorful mindless fun. A particularly funny gag is in episode 2 where a character
defeats even the most difficult foe with a head-butt. The CG looks awful though
unfortunately. Characters move through things on occasion. This is N64 quality
CG. In all, this is a series I would recommend to fans of “so bad it’s good”
shows. Otherwise you probably will not gain much from this series.

From the publisher: “Haneru Tobitatsu is a middle school
student who loves dancing! He can even dance to the rhythm of the chalkboard in
class. One day, Haneru meets Kanon, a shy girl who is practicing at a secret
dance place. The two learn the joy of dancing together and find happiness in
their dance moves.”

Haneru makes for an excellent
protagonist! It is impossible not to like this series with the infectious beats
and offbeat character designs. The show has a nice, relaxed pace and is a touch
shorter than the majority of standard length anime making it quick watch. Probably
my favorite part of this set of episodes is Kanon’s arc as a character going
from more nervous to outgoing. I cannot wait to see where the series goes from
here I will follow it every step of the way!

Mushishi Next Chapter season 2 episode 1 Directed by Masaya
Fujimori, Produced by Artland Review

From the publisher: “They are creatures only known as
‘Mushi,’ whose abilities range well into the supernatural. While their
existence and appearances are unknown to the humans around them, there are a
few like Ginko who is a ‘Mushi-shi’ that travels around to investigate and find
out more about the ‘Mushi.’ During the course of his discovery and
understanding, he helps those who are troubled by the Mushi themselves…”

Reviews
of the previous parts will follow at some point In the future. Continuing the
trend for this column for offbeat shows: Mushishi is probably one of my favorite
animated franchises. Period. This episodes does not disappoint. The series is
almost therapeutic a welcome change in
an industry wrought with hyper-activeness. It is always nice peering into Ginko’s
own past and it is some nice character development for him. If you have enjoyed
the franchise thus far this episode does not disappoint!

From the publisher: “A group of five boys and girls suddenly
acquire supernatural powers. Ready to fight in galactic battles to defend human
cause… they are struck by the realization that there are no wars, no
conspiracies, no evils empires, no nothing in their high school life. They
instead decide to idly have fun by wasting their powers away.”

Heretofore
referred to as Battle because again I am lazy, this series is a lot of fun! This
should come as no surprise for those familiar with the studio animating this.
Trigger despite being rather new is rather well adept at making shows lively
and enjoyable with this series being no exception. Despite it’s questionable
origins. Battle is pitch perfect when it comes to comedy. The drama in the
latter half of episode two does nothing but hold the show back. High school drama
is NOT Trigger’s strong suit. Such fare has been done to death at this point.
Otherwise this a fun series and I cannot wait until the next episode!

Thursday, 16 October 2014

From the publisher: “The sickness unto death is what
Kierkegaard calls despair and in this comic despair is manifested in form of a
young woman named Emiru. Emiru is a beautiful young woman from a rich family
and plenty to aspire to. Unfortunately she is consumed with grief. She does not
align herself with God or God's plan for her and needs guidance.

So when she meets a young psychology student named Futaba
she gives herself to him. In this way she loses herself to him. Kierkegaard
defines humanity as the tension between the "finite and infinite",
and the "possible and the necessary", and in this case Emiru as we
come to know her will eventually end under Futaba's guidance. But who will take
her place? And how will she and Futaba go through the balancing act between
these opposing personalities as their relationship builds.”

As a
psychological thriller Sickness Unto Death succeeds, as a romance not so much. Both
the protagonist and the heroine are compelling characters and technically it is
a unique relationship but the whole thing comes across as uncomfortable. The
books also leaves a lot of major plot threads unresolved which is rather frustrating.
The supporting cast has little time to be developed which is also grating.

That
being said, the books are well written and compelling reads it’s just they have
their flaws. The artwork is rather standard for Japanese comics there is not
much to comment on in that regard. The reason for the discomfort is the
unethical nature of their relationship which poses problems even within the
book. So in conclusion, despite my groaning here, Sickness Unto Death is an
interesting read. The core cast is compelling and it has some poetic moments.

From the publisher: “Explore fantastic realms of imagination
in this stunning collection of short stories by Kazue Kato, creator of the
smash-hit manga series Blue Exorcist! With Kato’s amazing and distinctive art
leaping from the page, Time Killers includes her first work, Boku to Usagi (Me
and the Rabbit), and features the stories and character designs that would
become her breakthrough series, Blue Exorcist. Take off on a flight of fantasy
with Time Killers!”

Time Killers is perhaps more
fascinating in seeing an artist’s progression over time than it is as a book.
The stories feel day and night different from one to the next. That is not to
say they are bad individually it is just to say… I didn’t find an overarching
theme or some connection between the stories. The stories themselves are
gorgeously drawn and, more often than not, are compelling reads. Kato states in
the back that it is meant to waste time (hence the name) so it succeeded in
that respect.

I wish some of the stories had
been longer as it would have been nice to see them in more detail. The book
itself has a really high quality pages and the colour pages really bring Kato’s
artwork to life. So in conclusion I would recommend this book to at the very
least fans of Blue Exorcist and fans of Kato’s artwork. It makes an excellent
companion work!

From the publisher: “In a tiny hut in rural India, Kavita
gives birth to Asha. Unable to afford the 'luxury' of raising a daughter, her
husband forces Kavita to give the baby up--a decision that will haunt them both
for the rest of their lives.

Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides
to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have
one of her own. When her husband Krishnan shows her a photo of baby Asha sent
to him from a Mumbai orphanage, she falls instantly in love. As she waited for
adoption to be finalized, she knew her life would change. But she was convinced
that the love she already felt would overcome all obstacles.

In a braided narrative that unites the stories of Kavita,
Somer and Asha, SECRET DAUGHTER, the debut novel by Shilpi Somaya Gowda,
explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss and belonging. As the story
moves between the two families, one struggling to eke out an existence in
Mumbai, the other grappling with the challenge of raising a brownskinned child
from another culture, Gowda poignantly parses issues of culture, identity and
familial loyalty”

For once it is a novel and not a
graphic novel that is being reviewed here. Technically it is ink on paper and…
yeah, I’m stretching it. Anyway Secret Daughter, for the most part, is a solid
book. I will not go into detail about the ending but… let’s just say it
undermines pretty the entire book and renders it pointless. The book also has
some odd messages about India. If it is attempting to positively portray the
country it really fails in that regard. Despite it’s futile attempts to make
Kavita’s husband sympathetic later on he is by far the least likeable member of
the cast.

His mentality is pretty much the standard for
the people of India at least in the context of this book. To be fair the majority
of the cast is difficult to like and we spend little time outside India aside
from some brief chapters with Somer who herself is rather unlikable. It may
just be the author is incapable of creating sympathetic characters Kavita
aside. Also worth noting several subplots are never resolved and the book fails
to actually tie its plot threads together. The book as a whole comes across
more as a series of vaguely related vignettes which I am pretty certain was not
the original intent. So in conclusion Secret Daughter is not a very good debut
novel. It has several good moments and for the most part is well written but it
fails to create cohesive hole in the end.

BB: No Matter How You Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m
Not Popular volume 1-3 Story & Art by Nico Tanigawa Review

From the publisher: “Tomoko Kuroki naturally assumed she’d
be popular when she got to high school…but then cold, hard reality swooped in
for the attack! Turns out all the popularity points she’d racked up in her
video game dating sims are worth squat in real life, and Tomoko’s far from
prepared to navigate high school! How can she possibly hope to impress her
classmates when she can’t even talk to them?! A new high-school heroine is born
(maybe?)!”

Heretofore referred to as
Watamote in this and future reviews (because I am lazy), this series leaves me
torn: on the one hand bits of the humor are legitimately funny, on the other,
much of the time I spent with the books was uncomfortable. I get the feeling we
are meant to laugh at Kuroki’s misfortune which feels largely unwarranted. Not
that she is a great person by any
stretch of the imagination but her external crippling anxiety was all too
familiar for me. The times where the humor works are when it is not poking fun
at her in such a mean spirited manor.

The moments when the humor works are the true to
life moments not mocking people who are odd. In this case the comedy simply
does not work for me. Otherwise the book is rather dull though there are
occasionally some wistful moments which I enjoyed. In conclusion the only
people who will likely enjoy this are those who derive enjoyment from watching
other’s in misery. That is the punchline for this entire series thus far. I am
not one of those people so this series has little to offer.

Since my last review of the
series the manga has since spawned an anime adaptation. I will tackle that
another day. In the meantime the
question remains: is the source material worth reading? To that I must say a
resounding maybe. If one enjoys mecha series you might find this to be an
enjoyable read. However, you have to be willing to play detective and put the
pieces together yourself because the series spends little time explaining
itself.

Instead it divides its time
between romantic comedy antics and truly spectacular giant robot battles. The
former is grating while the latter is the series highlight. The problem is how
jarring the contrast between them can be. Make the situation depressing is the knowledge
that this series is essentially a mainstream sellout on the part of the author.
His previous works suffer from similar problems but lacked the grating aspects
this series has. So, in conclusion, I would say this chunk of volumes of
Knights of Sidonia is very much continuing the trends of the first. Those who
enjoyed the early volumes will certainly enjoy these but they will not be
changing anyone’s minds.

Sunday, 12 October 2014

From the publisher: “From the pen
of Moyoco Anno comes a stunning tale of self-image and self-loathing. In
Clothes Called Fat details the lives of young women earnestly revealing the
struggles women may have with their bodies and sexuality.

Noko appears to be living a great
life, she's got a good job and a loving boyfriend, but beneath a thin veneer is
a young woman who is struggling with her self-image and self-confidence as she
fights to keep her weight down. To Noko, being 5 pounds overweight means being
miles away from happiness in her lovelife and in her work-place.

Originally serialized in a major
weekly newsmagazine for adult women (Shukan Josei, the first of its kind to be
launched in Japan), this early gem from graphic novel megastar Moyoco Anno may
be her most searing work to be published in English yet, closer in spirit to
some of the best stateside indie comics—ironically, given its mainstream
pedigree—than to most translated manga. In Clothes Called Fat is an indispensable
addition to your rowing library of sequential art for mature readers.”

Despite my love of the author’s
work this is not her strongest piece. The publisher has it (accurately) framed as
a black comedy and they are certainly correct in that categorization. Of course
the problem with black comedies and stories in general is that you need at
least one character you can sympathize with on some level. That is not the case
with In Clothes Called Fat. It really is not funny either as opposed to Happy
Mania.

It’s just uncomfortable. The
characters keep pointing out how horrible the protagonist is… she is nowhere
near as unlikable as the rest of the cast until she is driven into the world of
weight loss. At book’s end she has become as vein as the rest of them. Really
the book functions best as a commentary on how looks obsessed society is.
Unless that was the goal from the beginning in which case it succeeded magnificently. So in conclusion I would say this book is an
absolute enigma to me. It is compelling in completely different ways then it
was intended to be so… make of that what you will.

From the publisher: “Sad at the thought of spending
Christmas alone, Kurumi Sagara goes out for a walk. While she’s crossing the
street, a boy bumps into her, and a rein suddenly appears that binds them
together. The overjoyed boy tells her she’s his master and that she’s a Santa
Claus. Kurumi dismisses him as a crazy person, but then he transforms into a
reindeer?!”

Sweet
Rein is, if nothing else, a fun read. That said, the story is rather standard for
a romance. This series is definitely for people who enjoy cheesy romances and
will not likely find much of an audience outside of said reader base. There is
a rather odd romance one-shot included at the back which was uncomfortable.

The
book as a whole is decent though there are no color pages to be found. The art
is nice if not in need of a bit of refinement. If you are a fan of good in a
bad way stories this will not disappoint. The book is filled with hilariously
awful ideas that left me grinning from ear to ear. So in conlclusion volume 1
of Sweet Rein is a fun read if you come in with a certain mindset, others might
be best skipping over this one.

Monday, 6 October 2014

From the Publisher: “Miyuki Nimi (15) has suffered the
biggest embarrassment of her life! Now she’s moved as far away as she can get -
to the rural prefecture of Shimane. But the wheel of destiny begins to turn as
she meets the beautiful basketball player Shou Sakomizu! Watch as an average
daydreaming girl challenges herself and the world! Laugh and cry with her in
this Mangabox-original sports drama!”

This series has one gimmick and it milks it for
all it’s worth. The protagonist is clumsy. That’s basically all I gathered from
this first chapter. The comedy does not work unless you find that one gag
hilarious. If you are looking for good sports manga look elsewhere as this
series art is not inspired either and of the pages which make up the first
chapter, most of them are dedicated to this joke.

From the publisher: “Day laborer Kazuya Shibuya is feeling
frustrated with his boring, day-to-day life when a mysterious game called
“Blackout” is delivered to him out of the blue. Not knowing what is going on,
he starts to play the game, only to find out that what is inside surpasses
anything he could have ever imagined. No one has ever managed to beat this game
shrouded in mystery. Is “death” awaiting him at the end...? The battle-filled
fantasy novel popular on website Everystar is now a manga!”

Bland and forgettable as can be, Blackout is
probably better off forgotten. It basically follows the formula Sword Art
Online, Log Horizon, BTOOM!, and many MANY other series follow. The primary
difference being that It starts on an uncomfortable note. The first chapter is
rather short and really does a poor job of establishing the plot. None of the
characters are terribly interesting.

From the publisher: “Timid teen
Aichi Sendou was never one for making a statement or even defending himself.
But when a precious trading card of his is stolen, Aichi, who has never played
Vanguard before, is set to face an acquaintance who should be an insurmountable
adversary...Kai. With the support of his favorite card and some cherished
memories, the unlikely warrior is ready to stand up for himself and to change
his life for the better.

Inspired by the hit trading card
game and the basis for the beloved anime, Cardfight!! Vanguard is poised to
stake its claim among shonen manga's elites.”

Cardfight!!
Vanguard is, if nothing else, a painful read. We are only seeing a potential
plot being set in motion in the final pages of the book. The first volume is
mostly set-up establishing the core cast and how all their problems can be
solved by a card game. Without a fundamental understanding of the game (one
which I lack) or prior investment this series gives little reason to compel the
reader to continue.

Let me
make one thing perfectly clear: I am perfectly content watching and reading children’s
marketing vehicles. The problem is that at this point there are small stakes.
Thus why should we, the readers, care about the book? I really do not get the
appeal of Cardfight!! Vanguard thus far. To be fair the antagonists are
compelling characters and the imagined action scenes are fun but otherwise this
series has little to offer to those beyond its target demographic though I feel
even they deserve better.

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

With Osamu and Chika’s lives continuing
to be in the balance, one of the most important battles in the series to date takes
place. The entire affair plays out with much imagination and excitement. This
chapter was very well done. It showcases Ashihara’s great artwork and it is
nice to see some character development however brief for series’ mascot
Replica. In conclusion, despite having gone on for roughly half a year, this
arc continues to be well worth reading.

Instead of creating any actual
tension or plot developments, as per usual, the series decides to waste the
audience’s time by resolving the chapter with a wacky joke. The problem with
Nisekoi is that, at any given time, the plot could be so easily resolved. Yet the series chooses to drag on carrying
the audience with it. Also of note the princess who had been at the centre of
the series for a full month is notably missing this chapter. So in conclusion
Nisekoi’s most recent chapter accomplishes little if anything as per usual;
make of that what you will.

Monday, 29 September 2014

As a
protagonist Shioya makes for an entertaining lead the problem is the rest of
the series which is mediocre at best dull at worst. I feel it is worth
mentioning the main cast from chapter 1 does not even appear in this chapter. The
problem with this chapter and I fear will be for the series as a whole is that
we are given so little time and reason to care about the story. The formula is
already starting to wear thin after just a few chapters. So in conclusion, you
could probably skip this series.

With
the mechanics of the world out of the way we now finally get to see the first
character in the series colorful supporting cast. The protagonist is still as
dull as ever but the world and other cast members make the series worth a read.
The action is slick in this chapter showing a marked improvement over the first
two chapters. So all-in-all the series seem to improve with each passing
chapter and is a lot of fun.

Thought of as crazy by all his
classmates, Chuta‘s life turns upside down one day when he meets a little blue
alien. Forced to choose whether or not to become a space police officer, Chuta
chooses the former but first he must pass a test that further warps the world
he thought he knew. Will he succeed?

elDLIVE is a great read! The
protagonist is decently compelling; the comedy works more often than not, the
ideas are interesting, and the series is poised to be a fun read. Amano’s art
is probably the greatest point about the series. It is gorgeous, full color
artwork that really grabs the eye. I really have no complaints about it.

It has plenty of potential and
begins to show it near the end. Okay, I suppose I have one complaint, before
the plot kicks into full gear the school life was rather dull. Otherwise,
elDLIVE is an easy to recommend read!

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Seraph of the End Chapter 25 Story by Takaya Kagami, Art by
Yamato Yamamoto, Story Boards by Daisuke Furuya Review

This
chapter is largely forgettable. It serves mainly as a start of a pointless and
out of nowhere battle between Yuichiro and his superior along with the friends
they both have. It feels rather odd as they are currently waiting on an
impending attack by the vampires. What I am trying to say is this fight serves
little purpose than to increase the series page count and delaying the battle
between humans and vampires which the series has been building up for several chapters.
The art is slick as per usual but this plot thread could have been cut
altogether and no one would be the wiser.

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

These
chapters exhibit the series’ best points namely its cool art and slick action
scenes. One-Punch Man makes for a great read on a regular basis. It is mindless
fun. It really is a shame they were rather short chapters though as at times it
feels insubstantial. In conclusion, these chapters of One-Punch Man are well
worth reading and make for a pleasant diversion.

This
was a rather nice chapter. It was great seeing character development for the
supporting cast and having the majority of the chapter dedicated to it was a
nice touch. The artwork was gorgeous and it ended on a neat 2 page spread which
really brought out my favorite point in the series: Rin’s powers. So, in
conclusion, great chapter that is worth reading!